RUSSIA has warned the US of a “tough response” after President Donald Trump pledged to make America dominant in space and create a military “Space Force”.

RUSSIA has warned the US of a “tough response” to a militarised Space Force (Image: Getty)

Speaking at a space policy event at the White House on Monday, President Trump announced he is directing the Department of Defence and Pentagon to immediately begin the process necessary to establish the sixth branch of the armed force: the Space Force.

He claimed space is going to be “important monetarily and militarily” and that the US does not want “China and Russia and other countries” to lead.

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Mr Bondarev claimed if the US is to create a new Space Force, it would have to leave the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which establishes rules for the use and exploration of space.

If the US abandons the treaty, Mr Bondarev said it could escalate to an international arms race in space.

He continued: “There’s still remnants of common sense in the American political elite.

“But if the US withdraws from the treaty, then of course, not only ours but other states will follow with a tough response aimed at ensuring global security.”

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Ms Zakharova warned that if realised, Donald Trump's plans would have a “destabilising effect on strategic stability and international security”.

She also insisted Russia’s branch of the military called “space forces” are “purely defensive”.

The creation of a militarised space force is not a new concept as the development of a US militarised space program has been a significant element of national security since the Eisenhower administration.

This process was accelerated during the Cold War, following the quick expansion of the Soviet Union's satellite and space programmes.

Speaking to CNN, military analyst US Lt. Col. Rick Francona claimed most US military leaders understand the US needs to be the dominant force in space.